Donald Shaffer

Donald Shaffer "Don" was born in Vinita Oklahoma, on March 25th, 1936 to Ernie & Lola Shaffer.  In 1940 they moved to Stockton, California, where Don attended school up to 11th grade. 

His dad established a small farm with chickens and a cow, to help feed their growing family, (Don being the oldest of six boys).  During the war years, his mom worked in the shipyards, and 7-year-old Donald helped in working the farm and caring for his younger siblings. 

In 1952 he ran away from home to Hollywood California where he found work, food, and temporary lodging, at Little Tony's Restaurant.  He enrolled himself at Hollywood High School where he joined the choir and played football.  He graduated in the summer of 1955 and later that year a mutual friend arranged a "blind date" with Jeri Zumhofe.  They eloped to Las Vegas on Jeri's high-school grad night in February 1957.  A week later he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Castle Air Force Base in Merced, California.  Soon after David was born and a year later his sister Debbie came. 

In 1960, they saved enough money and bought their first home in Thousand Oaks, California.  Son Mike was born in July that year, and daughter Dori was born in February 1962.  Don worked as an expediter/buyer for Litton Industries.  John Penwarden recognized Don's potential and made him a salesman for Penwarden/Dailey Representatives, thus introducing him to the field of sales & marketing.  He worked in that field for the next 40 years.

During the 60s and 70s Don & Jeri were busy raising their four children.  Don coached both his boys in Little League baseball and Pop Warner football.  In 1969 the family moved to Newbury Park, California, where his "Pop Warner" coaching had a lasting effect on his players regarding teamwork and individual responsibility.  His team won the Tri-County Championship in 1972.  In December 1979 Don walked his youngest daughter Dori down the aisle and then Debbie two months later in February 1980. 

The 80s and 90s were the golden years for Don and Jeri.  They became grandparents to ten; Danielle, Nicholas, Erin, Joshua, Dustin, Jacob and Olivia.  Don's eldest son David married in 1986.  His bride Arcely came to the marriage with three children, Genavieve, Jamie, and Jeramy.  Don and his brothers (and their sons, and later grand-sons) established an annual fishing trip tradition which continued throughout the 90s.  They traveled to different  states graduating from tent, to "pop-up" and finally the 5th Wheel, making many happy memories along the way.  Don and Jeri toured Europe, Australia/New Zealand, and cruised the Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Hawaiian Islands, French Polynesia, and Alaska.  In 1997 they celebrated their 40th  wedding anniversary at Disney World and Epcot Center.  Don closed out the decade by retiring from National Semiconductor in September 1999 and moving to Prescott with Jeri in December of that year. 

Don managed the Habitat for Humanity store from 2002-2005 being instrumental in their move from LaRoux to a much larger place on Commerce.  From 2006-2010 he was Campaign Manager for United Way.  He was active in the Lions Club, serving as President of the Prescott Sunrise Lions and a "Melvin Jones" award recipient.  He also served as "Sheriff" for the Prescott Corral of Westerners. 

2003 began the next generation with the birth of Don's first great-grandchild, Kayden Donoho.  Soon to follow was Maya, Connor, Anthem and Avalon.In 2006, at the age of 70, Don earned his real estate license and was employed at Firesky, Coldwell Banker, and finally Nextage/Bloom Tree Reality. 

Don and Jeri celebrated their 50th anniversary with a family cruise to the Mexican Riviera in 2007, and for the next few years they traveled with Master's Touch to the Balloon Festival in Albuquerque, Antelope Canyon, Yellow Stone, and most recently Mt. Rushmore.  They also enjoyed camping in their 5th Wheel. 

Many relatives and friends helped Don celebrate his 80th birthday in March, with a huge party in Stoneridge.  Sister-in-laws Wanda Shaffer, from Montana and Sherri Helberg, from California came to join in the fun.  Don always loved a party and this was no exception. 

In his eighty years of life "Papa Don" touched many.  His physical being may be gone from us, but the life he lived and what he gave of himself will live on.  He everyone's Papa.  There was never one like him, and there will never be another."Who loves ya baby?" "Papa". 

In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Donald Shaffer's name to Prescott Sunrise Lions:  prescottsunriselionsclub.org  or to P.O. Box 985, Prescott, AZ 86302